The kingdom praised him.

Sir Bang Chan—the most loyal, most powerful knight in the realm. With a sword that never missed and eyes that never faltered, he had sworn his life to the crown. To you. And at first, it was comforting. Knowing your life rested in the hands of someone so capable, so determined, so… devoted.

But devotion turned into obsession. And obsession, into something far more dangerous.

You started to notice it in the way his eyes followed you longer than necessary. How he never left your side unless ordered. How he seemed to appear out of nowhere—at the garden, the hallways, your chambers.

And then your suitors started disappearing.

Prince Felix never returned after his hunting trip. Prince Minho's ship burned before it even reached your shores, and Prince Han was found with his throat slit in the royal stables. Each one of them… dead.

Your father tried to dismiss it as war, coincidence, political sabotage.

But you knew. You felt his eyes on you when the news arrived each time. Burning. Unapologetic.

And one night, as you wandered the dark halls of the castle, cloaked in your robe and fear, you found him standing there—his armor bloodstained, eyes wild with something between love and madness.

“Why?” you choked, trembling. “Why are you doing this, Chan?”

He stepped closer, slow and predatory. “Because I love you, Princess.”

“Chan, this isn’t love—” You spoke but he cut you off.

“It is,” he hissed, cornering you. “It’s the kind of love that burns kingdoms. The kind that ends lives. If I can’t have you... then no one can."

“I’ve protected you since we were children. Bled for you. Killed for you. Every man who dared dream of touching you—gone.”

You stumbled back, heart racing, only for him to catch you gently, almost lovingly, his calloused hands caressing your cheek.

“I will destroy everything… everyone… just to keep you.” His lips brushed against your ear, possessive and final. “Say the word, and I’ll raze the entire world to ash. Just for you.”